What I'm Loving Wednesday!

29 Weeks 1 Day

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

3rd trimester appt

Yesterday I had my first 3rd trimester appointment. I officially now go to appointments every 2 weeks instead of every 3 weeks. And my next appointment we will have an ultra sound to check Riley's growth. I'm excited to get another picture of her!

At this appointment I talked about the horrible heartburn I've been getting. And yes, I eat Tums like candy. But I barely sleep at night as it is because I'm getting up to pee every 20 minutes, and even more with horrible heartburn. So I asked if there was anything I could take before bed to help with that. And I was told Zantac was good to take.

And you better bet I took it last night. Too bad this crap isn't cheaper. But it sure does work! I didn't wake up once with heartburn. Still woke up 10 million times to pee, but not with heartburn.

Also, on Saturday I had my 2nd 1 hour glucose test to check for Gestational Diabetes. And if I passed this one I don't have to take anymore. If I failed then I have to do a 3 hour one! And I hear the drink for that once has 2 times as much sugar.

But luckily I passed the test! No more worries. No more of that nasty horrible drink and feeling like I'm gonna pass out!

Too soon

Yesterday I lost a very close friend suddenly. Rest in Peace Ruth. You are loved and already deeply missed.

From today's Republican American:

Mrs. Ruth C. Murray
Graveside service private

THOMASTON — Mrs. Ruth C. (Gesas) Murray, 58, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the Waterbury Hospital with her family by her side. She was the wife of John W. Murray.

Ruth was born Jan. 31, 1953 in Chicago, Ill., daughter of the late Leonard and June (Stephenson) Gesas.

In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by her only son, Michael L. Costello of West Hartford; her brother, Michael L. Gesas of Chicago, Ill.; her two dachshunds, Vinnie and Oscar and her grandson boxer, Brutus.

Arrangements: A private graveside service will be held at the Edgewood Cemetery in Nashua, N.H. There are no calling hours.

Arrangements are in the care of the Lyons Funeral Home of Thomaston. Notes of sympathy and comfort may be made to Ruth's family by visiting http://www.lyonsfuneralhome.com/.

Mother's Prayer

We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of starting a family. "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"

It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral. "I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations." But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.

I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.

I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a souffle; or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation. I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for child-care, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.

I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that rest-room. However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.

Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a Cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.

I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my children's future.

I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time.

I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts. My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I

reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.

This blessed gift from God... that of being a Mother.

Survey Says

A. Age: 31
B. Bed Size: Queen
C. Chore that you hate: Folding laundry, and it's really the only chore I have
D. Dogs: Boomer! 5 year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi
E. Essential start to your day: SHOWER!
F. Favorite color: Purple
G. Gold or Silver: Silver
H. Height: 5'1"
I. Instruments you play: Played the flute from elementary school through high school
J. Job title: 1st/3rd Party Billing Co-ordinator
K. Kids: Pregnant with my first. Have 2 step-sons and a step-daughter
L. Live: Connecticut
M. Mother's name: Carol
N. Nicknames: Peggy & Sissy
O. Overnight hospital stay: Not yet
P. Pet Peeve: People who ryhme when they talk! and lots of others, I'm OCD
Q. Quote from a movie: "The Goddamn pen is blue!" Jim Carrey in Liar Liar
R. Right or Left handed: Right
S. Siblings: 1 sister (Victoria) and 3 brothers (Wally, Stuart and Samuel)
T. Time you wake up: Every 20 frigging minutes to pee all night long
U. Underwear: Yes
V. Vegetable you hate: Brussel Sprouts
W. What makes you run late: Being pregnant and tired
X. X-ray's you've had: Teeth and chest
Y. Yummy food that you make: Mashed potatoes
Z. Zoo Animals: Right now I'm really into giraffes

28 Weeks. Third Trimester!

How your baby's growing:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

:)

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Where's the snow?

27 Weeks

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Weekend in Pictures

Our lit up deck

The boys watching their videos from Santa

Visiting Santa at Park and Rec

Rudolph at Park and Rec

Boys with their Christmas Tree

Our Tree

Breakfast with Santa

Ian's candy cane face

Christmas Card Pic

November Recap

I guess I better hurry up and do my November recap before December is over. Man, time is going by way too fast. Savanna turned 8 this month. Mike and I got her a bike for her birthday. Hopefully her mother will take a picture of her on it so we can see. We had 3 baby doctor appointments this month. 2 were regular appointments that I have every 3 weeks. And we had another anatomy scan. They couldn't get certain measurements the first time. This time they just pushed and punched on me for almost 2 hours until she would cooperate. And this was also the appointment where I was accepted into the trial for Yale.

Mike's football ended in November. Their last game was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The week before that they played in Waterbury and I went with him for the first time. With the snow storm in October, trick or treating was rescheduled to the first Saturday in November. Mike took Victoria. They met up with his family and the kids got tons of candy.

Victoria got High Honors on the honor roll and Student of the Semester this month! I had a seminar at the Aqua Turf. They had breakfast and I got a seat near the potty!!! Joey also had a birthday this month. We gave him his gift on Thanksgiving!

And thanks to Captain O we were able to take the boys and Victoria to a Quinnipiac Boys Basketball Game. They played the Navy Midshipmen. And better yet, they won 78-58! All the kids had a good time.

Let's see what December brings!

26 Weeks

How your baby's growing:

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

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25 weeks

How your baby's growing

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

8 Things to be Thankful for During Pregnancy l Thanksgiving l BabyZone

While it may be hard to be thankful for things like constipation, morning sickness, and the inability to see one's own feet, there are plenty of things about pregnancy to be thankful for. Here are 8!

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Daddy's Poem

Her hair was up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home;
why the kids might not understand,
is she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone.
And that is why, once again,
she tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school,
eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees,
a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in back,
for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seat.

One by one the teacher called
on a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
as seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
a man who wasn't there.

"Where's her daddy at?"
she heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one,"
another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day."

The words did not offend her,
as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher,
who told her to go on...

And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique.

"My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know
all about my daddy,
and how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories,
he taught me to ride my bike;
he surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him,
I'm not standing here alone.

'Cause my daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart;
I know because he told me,
he'll forever be in my heart"

With that, he little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress.

And from somewhere there in the crowd of dads,
her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love
of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down,
staring straight into the crowd,
she finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud.

"I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
but heaven's just too far.

You see he is an American Soldier
and he died just this past year...
when a roadside bomb hit his convoy
and taught Americans to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day.

And to her mother's amazement,
she witnessed with surprise,
a room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes.

Who know what they saw before them;
who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.

"I know you're with me Daddy,"
to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain in,
for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,
by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too far.

24 Weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Don't you wish you thought of it!